Our Charities

Website Dedication

In part, this website is dedicated to my family, whom, like myself are passionate about local history around
the Kenfig and surrounding areas and who have witnessed at first hand the debiltating and cruel effects of a
little known medical condition known as PSP ( Progressive Supranuclear Palsy ) - an illness which claimed
our dear dad's life in October 2002.

We aim to raise an awareness to PSP through this website project and hope this gives a little comfort to those who
may be experiencing difficult times due to this distressing illness to both the patient and carer alike. I personally
recall the countless times of working through the nights at home in learning ICT and specialist web design skills during
a point in time when my dad was ill; continually having to witness the debilitating effects of PSP of which we as a family knew
very little about until after my dad's passing.

We can now identify the symptoms of PSP with what my dad was experiencing; we
felt so helpless ourselves in caring for our dad and fully appreciate and respect the pain and sufferring others with PSP
and their families maybe going through. My own mum's ability, devotion and dedication to caring for my dad right up until his passing cannot
go without mention - she truely is an angel. Additionally, a mention to my younger brother whom like myself, experienced
a great pain in loosing a kind, loving and devoted father to PSP.

In addition to raising an awareness to PSP - this website aims to help and promote The Sandville Self Help Centre,
Ton Kenfig, for the remarkable services to the community that it provides in caring for the seriously ill in a loving,
relaxed and happy environment. We personally would like to thank Sister Gwyneth Poacher SRN MBE of the Sandville Self
Help Centre for all the help and support both she and sandville volunteers provided ourselves as a family during
and throughout my dad's illness with PSP.

North Cornelly Surgery & Princess of Wales Hospital, Bridgend

A special thanks also to all doctors, specialist medical and all NHS staff at both North Cornelly
Surgery and the Princess of Wales Hospital, Bridgend during
and throughout my dads illness - we believe this may have been somewhat of a first case senario of PSP within the
Bridgend County Borough, at least to our own knowledge at that.

Modern medical knowledge and experince in these specialist fields and the exemplary standards of care and
attention to the treating of my dad were executed at all times by all associated with ourselves throughout my
dads illness.

Without the specialist medical care and advances in modern medical sciences that have and continue to
be developed within the 21st century, we must, without doubt thank everyone involved throughout these processes
- PSP would have, only a matter of a few years ago been misdiagnosed with the patient possibly being committed
to a psychiatric hospital instead of treating and learning about this neurological disorder.

Online Resources

PSP is a rare, degenerative syndrome related to Parkinson's disease, it is the condition that claimed
the life of the famous actor / comedian, Dudley Moore and is widely known as 'Dudley Moore's Disease' as a direct result.
In recent times PSP claimed the life of the mother of Olympic athlete and politian, Lord Sebastian Coe. Leading neurologists consider
that there could be as many as 10,000 cases of PSP in the UK today. There is no cure for PSP.

The effects of PSP

PSP affects the balance, speech, coordination, swallowing and vision.
The illness is initially somewhat mis-diagnosed as the symptoms closely resembles that of Parkinsons Disease,
sometimes diagnosis is usually made towards the latter stages of the illness. The cause of PSP is still unknown
- there maybe a genetic as well as an environmental component.

Research towards a cure for PSP

Considerable research is being undertaken to try to determine the cause of PSP, to develop more effective
treatments and ultimately, to find a cure.

PSP Europe Association

Sandville Self Help Centre

Background

Established by Sister Gwyneth Poacher SRN MBE in 1985, the Sandville is funded entirely by charitable
donations and run largely by volunteers. It is dedicated to caring for the seriously ill and improving
their quality of life in a loving, relaxed and happy environment.

Kenfig.org Local Community Group supports the Sandville Self Help Centre and aims to raise
both an awareness and funds for this establishment.